Perceptions of Jesus’ People: Finding new language to identify ourselves

This may be small potatoes but I am looking for ways to clarify that I align myself with Christ and his Way of life, not the man-made religion we call Christianity and people’s perceptions of it.  It is my desire that new believers will see the difference.  It is because of Christianity’s bad rep that I almost always refer to myself nowadays as a “follower of Jesus” rather than a “Christian”.  These terms should signify one and the same, but in our world “Christian” often comes with too much baggage to make that the first thing I say about myself.  (Kind of like how I’m proud to claim my religious heritage is “Churches of Christ” but I’ve often found it a hindrance to declare upfront my association with that group – or any recognized religious group for that matter).  More tomorrow…